KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd, the holding company of Lotus Group International Limited, expects to sell at least 50 to 60 units of Lotus cars annually.

Managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said since the introduction of the luxury sports car in Malaysia in 2002, the national carmaker has seen encouraging growth in demand for it.

Currently, there are 150 units of Lotus cars on the road, he told reporters at the launch of the Lotus Showcase 2009 here Wednesday.

To further increase its portfolio, Syed Zainal said it will launch the Lotus Evora by the third quarter of this year.

To date, Proton has introduced the Lotus Elise, the Exige and Europa to the market.

To expand its exposure, Syed Zainal said Proton would be showcasing the Lotus car to the public, at the Showcase 2009 to be held until July 5 at The Garden Mall, Mid Valley.

Featuring the Elise S, Exige S and Europa S models, along with the Lotus 2-Eleven track car, he said it was an opportunity for the public to experience at first-hand the world-class Lotus car.

The Showcase 2009 is open daily from 10am to 10pm. The event is the first public showcase for the Lotus.

"It is good that we do this before the Evora comes on. People will appreciate the lotus value.

"The Evora will be different. We will enlarge the market.This is where we think the volume will be," he noted.

The Evora was recently launched in Europe.